Korea
is a nation that boasts a fast growing economy and a lifestyle that
brings together the old and the new. Once known simply as a quiet
nation in the East, the Korean peninsula now hardly sleeps as it
pulsates with life and commerce. Branch offices of major international
corporations and business as well as most of the western franchises
can be found throughout the country.
In the
face of modernity, Koreans still greatly value their 5 millennia
of history and culture and the Confucian philosophy that had governed
the lives of their ancestors.
Many global events take place in Korea annually, with the 2002 FIFA
World Cup Soccer Games being the most recent.
The
Korean peninsula also features numerous scenic mountains and rivers
that Koreans have often likened to beautifully embroidered brocade.

Time
Zone

Korea
Standard Time is GMT plus 9 hours.

Climate

Korea's
4 season climate is regarded as a continental climate from a temperate
standpoint and a monsoon climate from a precipitation standpoint.

Electricity

Outlets
for 220 volts are dominant in Korea. Always check the power supply
before using your equipment.

Currency

The
unit of Korean currency is the Won(£Ü). Coin denominations
are £Ü10, £Ü50, £Ü100 and £Ü500.
Banknotes are £Ü1,000, £Ü5,000 and £Ü10,000.

Currency exchange
:
Foreign
banknotes and traveler's check can be exchanged at foreign exchange
banks and other authorized moneychangers. As of 1 November, 2006
the exchange rate is approximately $1 to £Ü 980.Credit cards :
Diners
Club, Visa, American Express and MasterCard are widely accepted
at major hotels, shops and restaurants in the larger cities. Check
with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability
and other services which may be available.Traveler's check :
Accepted,
but may be difficult to change in smaller towns. To avoid additional
exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take Traveler's
check in US Dollars.

Business
hours

Government
Offices

09:00am~06:00pm(weekdays)
09:00am~01:00pm(Saturdays)

Bank

09:00am~04:30pm(only
weekdays)

Public
holiday

New
Year's Day

January
1

Lunar
New Year's Day

First
day of the first lunar month

Independence
Movement Day

March
1

Arbor
Day

April
5

Buddha's
Birthday

Eighth
day of the fourth lunar month

Children's
Day

May
5

Memorial
Day

June
6

Constitution
Day

July
17

Liberation
Day

August
15

Korean
Thanksgiving Day

Fifteenth
day of the eighth lunar month

National
Foundation Day

October
3

Christmas

December
25

Emergencies

The general
emergency telephone number in Korea is 119. This will connect you
to an operator who will alarm police, medical aid or the fire brigade.
Police can be contacted for any urgent matter via the number 112.
In the event of emergency, try and locate a bilingual speaker to avoid
additional frustration or stress during any unforeseen time of duress.

Visa
Requirements

Any
foreign visitors wishing to enter the Republic of Korea must have
a valid passport and obtain a Korean visa before coming. But people
of 99 countries who want to visit Korea temporarily are permitted
to enter without a visa according to visa-exemption agreements (Table1),
or in accordance with principles of reciprocity or national interest
(Table 2).

¡¤ [Table1] Countries under Visa Exemption Agreements

Country/Period(days)

Country/Period(days)

Country/Period(days)

Europe

Austria / 90

Belgium / 90

Bulgaria / 90

Czech Republic / 90

Denmark / 90

Estonia / 90

Finland / 90

France / 90

Greece / 90

Germany / 90

Hungary / 90

Iceland / 90

Ireland / 90

Italy / 60

Liechtenstein / 90

Luxembourg / 90

Malta / 90

Netherlands / 90

Norway / 90

Portugal / 60

Poland / 90

Romania / 90

Spain / 90

Slovak Republic / 90

Sweden / 90

Switzerland / 90

United Kingdom / 90

Asia and Oceania

Bangladesh / 90

Israel / 90

Malaysia / 90

New Zealand / 90

Pakistan / 90

Singapore / 90

Thailand / 90

Turkey / 90

Americas

Antigua
and
Barbuda / 90

Bahamas / 90

Barbados / 90

Brazil / 90

Colombia / 90

Costa Rica / 90

Common
wealth of Dominica / 90

Dominican Republic / 90

El Salvador / 90

Grenada / 90

Haiti / 90

Jamaica / 90

Mexico / 90

Nicaragua / 90

Panama / 90

Peru / 90

St. Lucia / 90

St. Kitts and Nevis / 90

St.
Vincent & the Grenadines / 90

Surinam / 90

Trinidad and Tobago / 90

Africa

Lesotho / 60

Liberia / 90

Morocco / 90

Tunisia / 30

¡¤ [Table2] Countries or Regions under principles of reciprocity and
national interest

Daegu
is Korea's 3rd largest city. The views of Mt. Palgong-san
to the north and Mt. Ap-san to the south are hidden by smog
less often than the mountains encircling Seoul. The area is
a major textile center for Korea, producing vast amounts of
cloth and clothing. It also serves as a major hub for metal
and machine industries, with several manufacturing plants
from the nation's largest conglomerates. Agriculturally, the
area has much farmland and is especially known for its apples.

History

Around 100 A.D. Daegu was called "Dalguhwa" or "Dalgubol"
meaning "big heights" and it was renamed as Daegu
(which means big basin) in 1780. It also means 'big city'.
Since then, it has been the center of Gyeongsang province. Since
the establishment of Gyeongsang-gamyeong, the provincial government
office, in 1601, it has been the center of administration, business
and military of the Yeongnam region.
In July 1981 Daegu was upgraded to a Jikhalsi, or a district,
under the direct control of central government and its area
was extended to be 455.90. With the beginning of the local autonomy
in January 1995, it became a metropolitan city. In March 1995,
it absorbed Dalseong-gun, a county in its neighborhood; its
area mounted to 885.30, and its population jumped to 2.5million.

Geography

Daegu
is located at the center of the southeast region of the Korean
Peninsula. The city is approximately 300 km south from Seoul
and 120 km north from Busan. Sincheon Stream runs from the
east to the west through the city and joins the Geumho-gang
River, and it also joins the Nakdong-gang River in the southwest
.

Its
continental climate is due to the mountains surrounding the
city, which block the wind from the sea. The weather is expected
to be hot and humid in Daegu during the time of this Symposium.
While spending time outside, protect yourself from sunburn and
always be on the lookout for intermittent showers.

Annual
average temperature

14.2¡É

The
hottest month (August)

average
temperature 26.3 Celsius

The
coldest month (January)

average
temperature 0.8 Celsius

Annual
average rainfall

1,059.6mm

Area & Population

Total
Area

885.3
§´

Population

2.5
million
(hugs consumer market of 5 million including the satellite
cities)

Education

Daegu
has been recognized as a high quality education city, producing
certified human resources every year through 24 colleges and
universities in and around the city. The city government has
found cooperative ways to facilitate partnership between education
and industry. Public libraries, increasing in number, have
been used as spaces for social education in regional communities.

13
universities and 14 junior colleges

5,000
college professors

Produces
44,000 college graduates every year

Restaurants in Daegu

Daegu
is a beautiful city with a high-grade food culture as well
as time-honored tradition. There are several restaurant districts
where a variety of restaurants stand close together. Those
restaurants provide diners with delicious foods offering a
taste of city culture.

¡¤
Deurangil

Over
100 restaurants with different menus gather to form a
food town. These range from Korean to Japanese, western
and other ethnic foods. This town is beloved by many connoisseurs
and has become one of the more famous areas in Daegu.

¡¤
Apsan Circular Road

On
the roadside of Apsan Circular Road in front of Mt.
Apsan in the south of Daegu are many different kinds
of restaurants which form a street of restaurants. In
addition to delicious cuisine, you can also enjoy the
beautiful scenery of the mountain.

¡¤
Donghwasa Temple Area

Many
tourists and visitors who come to see Donghwasa Temple
and Mt. Palgong stop by this district as it is situated
in front of Donghwasa Temple in Mt. Palgong. Sanchae-bibimbap
topped with fresh wild greens from Mt. Palgong and Pine
mushroom dishes are very popular.

¡¤
Gatbawi Area

People
enjoying mountain climbing as well as Buddhists visiting
Gatbawi Buddha statue often come to this district. Traditional
bean curd dishes and buckwheat and acorn jellies are
popular as healthy food.